South Asian conference: Youth to converge for peace and development

The South Asian Youth Conference (SAYC) 2012, hosted by NUST, will be held between November 5 and 10.

Youth from South Asia will gather in Islamabad next month to promote peace and development in the region.

The South Asian Youth Conference (SAYC) 2012, hosted by National University of Science and Technology, will be held between November 5 and 10, said a press release issued by organisers.

The conference aims to empower the youth of the region and utilise their potential to erase the gaps between the countries to progress together.

SAYC was formed when a group of South Asian youth joined hands at the fifth World Youth Congress in Turkey. Having deep cultural and historical connections, the group felt the need for a space where young leaders can discuss and collaborate to improve relations, said the statement.

This led to the Blue Ribbon Movement organising the first SAYC in Bangalore. It managed to get every country in the SAARC region represented and became synonymous with the idea of peace. This year, the conference moves from its country of origin to Pakistan.

SAYC 2012 is primarily being lead by Hila, a youth-oriented organisation with a sole purpose to gather the youth under a platform for global issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2012.